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Nick Browne and Liam Dawson's opening stand of 237 put Essex in control against Glamorgan at Chelmsford.

Resuming day three on 78-0, the pair surpassed the county's record first-wicket stand against their Welsh opponents of 206, before Browne nicked Colin Ingram (3-90) behind for 129.

Hampshire loanee Dawson soon followed for 99 as Essex declared on 344-4.

Set a victory target of 462, Glamorgan reached 110-1 at stumps with captain Jacques Rudolph unbeaten on 45.

Dawson, who arrived at Chelmsford on a one-month loan spell at the start of July, looked set to reach his seventh first-class century when he gave a return catch to Ingram off a leading edge.

Browne did manage to reach a third Championship hundred of the season as he struck 20 fours and one six in his 209-ball innings.

Dawson took the only Glamorgan wicket after tea, when he had Will Bragg caught by Ryan ten Doeschate at mid-wicket.

However, Rudolph and 18-year-old Aneurin Donald (42 not out) remained firm to give their side an outside chance of pulling off a remarkable final-day run chase.

Essex opener Nick Browne:

"Things are going good for me at the moment, I'm nicking a few which are going down to third man but yes, it's a good time for me at present.

"I'm delighted with my century but it will mean a lot more of we can go on and complete the win tomorrow.

Glamorgan wicketkeeper Mark Wallace:

"We've got a lot of hard work in front of us but the pitch has changed over the last day and it's got a bit better.

"Their spinners will be threat but we'll just have to take it session by session."